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Hinch trying to drill home defense

D-backs working hard on defense

PHOENIX -- In a season of frustration for the D-backs, even the extra work they are putting in does not seem to help.

Tuesday, the team went through infield and outfield drills before taking batting practice as part of a continuing effort to improve a defense that ranks near the bottom of the National League.

Later that night, the D-backs committed a pair of miscues in the pivotal fifth inning as the Phillies went on to win, 4-3.

"We've brought about as much attention to defense as any team that I've ever been on or been a part of," D-backs manager A.J. Hinch said. "And that leads to the frustrating part with as much time and effort that we are putting into it that we're not delivering key defensive plays."

Compounding the problem is that Arizona's errors seem to come at crucial parts of the game and also in bunches, giving teams not just one extra out an inning, but as was the case on Tuesday night, a pair of them.

So once a homestand the team will continue to put in the extra work.

"It's in there, it's in this team to play solid defense and to play complete games," Hinch said. "I really want to focus on the problems, I want to address the problems, but at the same time I know it's in there, I believe it's in there and this team could be better."

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.